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Frenchman 'flees Somali captors' | Frenchman 'flees Somali captors' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A French security adviser seized by Islamist militants in Somalia has escaped his captors, officials say. | A French security adviser seized by Islamist militants in Somalia has escaped his captors, officials say. |
The Frenchman, who was kidnapped from a hotel in Mogadishu along with a colleague last month, reportedly killed three militants as he fled. | |
French foreign ministry officials confirmed that he had escaped but denied there had been any violence. | |
They also said the second hostage was still being held. An earlier report that said he was free was retracted. | |
The pair were part of a team who are in the country to train forces for the UN-backed interim government - who are battling Islamist rebels for control of the country. | |
Ransom denial | |
A spokesman for the interim government, Abdulkadir Hussein Wehliye, said the escaped Frenchman was in the presidential palace and "in a good mood". | |
A government military official, Farhan Asanyo, said the man had approached government soldiers early on Wednesday, identified himself and said he had escaped. | |
"The man told them that he was one of the French officials held by militants," Mr Asanyo said. | "The man told them that he was one of the French officials held by militants," Mr Asanyo said. |
Meeting al-Shabab Somali justice, Islamist-style | Meeting al-Shabab Somali justice, Islamist-style |
"He said he escaped after killing three of his captors, and we sent him to the presidential palace." | "He said he escaped after killing three of his captors, and we sent him to the presidential palace." |
However, witnesses suggested that the rebels had allowed the Frenchman to go free, prompting speculation that a ransom might have been paid. | |
France's foreign ministry denied reports of any money changing hands or of violence taking place. | |
"The hostage held by Hizbul-Islam was able to escape his kidnappers," spokesman Eric Chevallier told reporters. | |
"Despite certain allegations and rumours, this happened without violence and France did not pay a ransom." | |
Hours after the first hostage was released, French news agency AFP reported that Somali Information Minister Dahir Mohamud Gele had said the second hostage was also free. | Hours after the first hostage was released, French news agency AFP reported that Somali Information Minister Dahir Mohamud Gele had said the second hostage was also free. |
But AFP later retracted the report, after Mr Gele confirmed only one hostage was free. | But AFP later retracted the report, after Mr Gele confirmed only one hostage was free. |
Mr Chevallier reiterated that the second hostage was still being held. | |
Foreign reinforcements | Foreign reinforcements |
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan, in Mogadishu, says the two French captives were being held by different factions. | The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan, in Mogadishu, says the two French captives were being held by different factions. |
While fighters from the Hizbul-Islam group were holding the man whose release has been confirmed, their allies from al-Shabab were thought to be holding the other man. | While fighters from the Hizbul-Islam group were holding the man whose release has been confirmed, their allies from al-Shabab were thought to be holding the other man. |
The two groups control much of southern Somalia, but analysts say al-Shabab is known for being the more radical of the two groups. | The two groups control much of southern Somalia, but analysts say al-Shabab is known for being the more radical of the two groups. |
Al-Shabab fighters care little for their public image and they have carried out killings on camera. | Al-Shabab fighters care little for their public image and they have carried out killings on camera. |
Both groups are said to have links to al-Qaeda and have been reinforced by foreign fighters. | Both groups are said to have links to al-Qaeda and have been reinforced by foreign fighters. |
Somalia has not had a functioning central government since 1991. | Somalia has not had a functioning central government since 1991. |
Moderate Islamist Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was sworn in as president in January after UN-brokered peace talks. | Moderate Islamist Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was sworn in as president in January after UN-brokered peace talks. |
He promised to introduce Sharia law but the hardliners accuse him of being a Western stooge. | He promised to introduce Sharia law but the hardliners accuse him of being a Western stooge. |